Gross anatomy and histology of the Female reproductive tract

Question 1

Function of female preprodutive system?

Answer 1

• Egg production
• Facilitating reproduction with the right conditions
• Production of sex hormones

Question 2

Vagina is a muscular tube that faciliates mesntruation, child birth and sexual intercourse. The uterus actually protrudes into the vagina, leaving a recess around the uterus in the vagina itself. What is this called?

Answer 2

Vaginal fornix

Question 3

State the main functions of the uterus

Answer 3

• Hosts the fetus during development
• produces secretions
• allows sperm passage

Question 4

Cervix is a component of the uterus that extends into vagina. Extends from the ????? of the uterus, to the ???????

The portion that extends into the vagins is called the ?????? portion. The portion that does not extend into the vagina is called?????

Answer 4

Isthmus

External ons - external orifice

Vaginal portion

Supravaginal portion

Question 5

The internal orifice is opening into the ???? of the uterus, which is connecting the body and the ?????. The regio between the internal ons and external ons is called what?

Answer 5

Cervical canal

Question 6

The body of the uterus is also known as what? What are two important events happen here?

Answer 6

The corpus.

Fertilization, fetal development

Question 7

What is the base, or most superior part of the uterus?

Answer 7

Question 8

The Uterus is composed of 3 layers - name them and very briefly summarise what they are (deep to superficial)

Answer 8

• Endometrium - the mucosa
• Myometrium - muscular layer
• Perimetrium

Question 9

The endometrium is the innemost layer of uterus - also called uterine mucous membrane.

What type of cell lines the endometrium?

Answer 9

Simple columnar epithelium - underneath you have your typical lamina propria.

Question 10

Myometrium is a layer of 3 smooth muscle muscle layers.

Answer 10

Subvascular layer

Vascular layer

Supravascular layer

Question 11

The uterus can be said to be in anteflexion and anteversion. Explain what this means

Answer 11

• Anteversion refers to the position of the uterus to the vagina - V for V
• Anteflexion refers to position of the uterus to the cervix

Question 12

Another name for fallopian tube?

What are the functions of the fallopian tube?

Answer 12

Uterine tube.

Site of fertilisation

Provide passage for ovum

Question 13

Label the 3 main parts of the fallopian tubes

Answer 13

Question 14

Describe the appearance of each of the regions of the fallopian tube

Answer 14

Isthmus - narrow sction that connects the ampula to the uterine cavity

Ampulla - widest section of the uterine tube - typically the site of fertilisation

infundibulum - most distal part of fallopian tubes - opening that is near the ovaries to which the fimbrae are attached

Fibrae - finger like, cilitaed projections which capture the ovum from the surface of the ovary

Question 15

The fallopian tubes connect the uterine cavity to the perionteal cavity. What is the name of the junction that connects the uterus to the fallopian tube?

Answer 15

Utero-tubal junction

Question 16

the longest of the fimbriae – ??????? – attaches to the superior aspect of each ovary.

Answer 16

Ovarian fimbriae

Question 17

Ovaries are bilateral oval shaped discs; that have both exocrine and endocrine activities.

What ligament attaches the uterus body to the sacrum?

Answer 17

Uterosacral ligament

Question 18

What ligament attaches the ovary to the uterine body?

Answer 18

• The ovarian ligament

Question 19

What ligament attaches the ovary to the wall of the pelvis?

Answer 19

Suspensory ligament (fold of peritoneum)

Question 20

What is the function of the broad ligament of the uterus?

Answer 20

• Double layer of peritoneum that connects the uterus to floor and walls of the pelvis

Question 21

The broad ligament can be divided into roughly 3 areas - what are they?

Answer 21

Mesovarium

Mesoalpinx

Mesometrium

Question 22

State the functions of each of the 3 parts of the broad ligaments

Answer 22

Mesometrium - surrounds the uterus and is the largest subsection of broad ligament. Runs laterally to cover the external iliac vessels, forming a distinct fold over them.

Mesosalpinx - Originates superiorly to the mesovarium. Encloses the fallopian tubes.

Mesovarium - Encloses the neurovascular supply of the ovary. Also attaches the ovaries to the posterior layer of the mesometrium and encloses the ovarian ligament.

Question 23

State the structures you would find within the broad ligament

Answer 23

Ovarian artery

Ovarian Vein

Question 24

What is the part of the uterine tube still enveloped by the uterus?

Answer 24

“Uterine part” of the uterine tube

Question 25

What is meant by a **bicorunate uterus?**

Answer 25

Uterine cavity is split into ttwo

Question 26

Blood supply + lymphatics for ovaries

Answer 26

Ovarian Artery Ovarian Vein Drains to **Aortic nodes**

Question 27

What is the function of the fallopian tube?

Answer 27

Allow passage of the ovum to the uterine cavity, and to allow fertilisation to occur

Question 28

Movement of the ovum alon the tube is mediated by ???? of the longitudinal and circular layrs of the oviduct wall.

Answer 28

Peristalsis

Question 29

The mucosal lining of the fallopian tube is arranged in labyrinth of branching logitudinal ??. This most evident in the ?? of the uterine tube. Each fold has mainly simple ??,??? epithelium. Some of the cells are not ??, and instead secrete a mucus that is propelled towards the uterus Underneath, there is a layer of **supporting vasuclar tissue (lamina propria mucosa - ST in diagram later)). The muscular wall has a ?? and ?? layer.** **The most outer layer is the ???, which** is continues with the ??? ligament.

Answer 29

The mucosal lining of the fallopian tube is arranged in labyrinth of branching logitudinal **folds**. This most evident **is** in the **ampulla** of the uterine tube. Each fold has mainly simple columnar,ciliated epithelium. Some of the cells are not ciliated, and instead secrete a mucus that is propelled towards the uterus Underneath the epithelium of the folds, there is a layer of supporting vasuclar tissue (lamina propria mucosa - ST in diagram later)). The muscular wall has a circular and longitudinal layer. The most outer layer is the serosa, which is continues with the ??? ligament. Serosa is just lots of supporting tissue.

Question 30

There are 3 main layers of the uterus. ???? - the inner mucous membrane that lines the uterus - can be further subdivided into two layers ???? - changes little throughout the cycle and is not shed during menstruation ???? - prolliferates in response to ????? Myomterium - Mucular layer, can undergo ??? and ???? during pregnancy in preparation to expel the fetus at birth Perimetrium - double layered membrane that is continous with the ????? - this layer can also be referred to as ???????

Answer 30

**Endometrium** - the inner mucous membrane that lines the uterus - can be further subdivided into two layers: **Stratum basalis** - changes little throughout the cycle and is not shed during menstruation **Stratum functinoalis** - prolliferates in response to **oestrogens** Myomterium - Mucular layer, can undergo hypertrophy and hyperplasia during pregnanc in preparation to expel the fetus at birth Perimetrium - double layered membrane that is continous with the abdominal peritoneum - this layer can also be referred to as peritoneum

Question 31

What is the lymphatic supply for the uterus?

Answer 31

Illiac, sacral, aortic and inguinal lymph nodes.

Question 32

The vagina is comosed of 4 histological layers: * Stratified squamous epithelium * Elastic lamina propria * Fibromuscular layer * Adventitia **Stratified squamous epithelial** layer provides protection and is lubrictaed by ???? mucus. The vagina itself does not contain any ??? **Elastic lamina propria -** a dense layer of connective tissue which is rich in ???? fibres. **Fibromuscular layer** - two layers of smotth muscle - an inner ??? layer and outer /?? layer. **Adventitia -** a fibrous layer which provides extra layer of protection whilst also binding it to ??? structures.

Answer 32

The vagina is comosed of 4 histological layers: * Stratified squamous epithelium * Elastic lamina propria * Fibromuscular layer * Adventitia **Stratified squamous epithelial** layer provides protection and is lubrictaed by **cervical** mucus. The vagina itself does not contain any ??? **Elastic lamina propria -** a dense layer of connective tissue which is rich in elastic fibres. **Fibromuscular layer** - two layers of smotth muscle - an inner circular layer and outer longitudinal layer. **Adventitia -** a fibrous layer which provides extra layer of protection whilst also binding it to surrounding structures.